The new generation of the Passport Index compares passports from 199 countries including the 193 United Nations member countries as well as the Republic of China, Kosovo, Palestine, and The Vatican.

Passport Index positions are determined by scores for ‘Visa-free’ travel, together with ‘Visa on arrival’ ratio, with the country’s score as attributed by United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index to take account of the jurisdiction’s international perception.

Germany ranked the most powerful passport in the world, with a visa-free score of 157, followed by Sweden, Finland, Italy and Switzerland.

The highest ranked non-European passport is that of South Korea, ranked third, with a visa-free score of 155, followed by Singapore, Japan and Malaysia.

Although the world’s top 10 passports this year are all European, it is relatively difficult to obtain visa-free mobility to its member states. According to the UN World Tourism Organisation, on average 76 percent of the world’s population are required to obtain a visa prior to departure to Europe.

Armand Arton, president of Arton Capital said: “Many people around the world consider their passports a barrier to their opportunities in life and choose to empower their identity and global footprint by obtaining a second citizenship through investment.

“In an age of increasing mobility, becoming a Global Citizen has never been more desirable. Investing in a second residency or citizenship is a liberating and empowering privilege, which comes with a responsibility to the world.”